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Saturday, December 31, 2016

Well, I guess I caused a few eyebrows to raise over my last post regarding rules and ruffled a few feathers. I have spent 32 years of being in business for myself and in the automotive market, companies have paid me a pretty good living for solving their problems when launching a product into a market or geographical area.

One thing I do good is listen, that is how you solve issues, sell product and get results. I have listened to everyone concerns over the past week regarding rules for pulling. Another thing I'm good at is being passionate about what I do on a daily basis. People ask all the time how do you stay in business? (most businesses fail in 4-5 yrs) It's being passionate about what you are working on and trying to accomplish.

I tell industry leaders all the time our enthusiasts are passionate about their sport because I have seen many work 2 maybe 3 jobs to afford their truck, some heat with wood they cut and split so they can afford parts for their trucks. Their passion is conveyed by me because after I speak at conferences those listening tell me I'm passionate about our sport and what we are trying to accomplish.

Many people hire me because I have had the ability to see the bigger picture or see into the future of what will happen in a marketplace or a company's direction. It's nothing special I can just evaluate people's reactions and conclude what the results or outcome will be in the future.

So after explaining all of that and listening to all parties this last week I can now see what is happening.

I have a large group with lots of money wanting everyone to (quoted), be on a fair playing field, all trucks would be the same and all trucks would be easier to tech and control. Everyone would be running the same turbo and suspension in all three classes for pulling. This large group also controls the technology and sells those parts plus they have pulling trucks competing against their own customers.

What I'm hearing is controlling the sport and industry with parts and rules.

I don't know about you folks but this sounds like the government which has tried to control farming, healthcare, banks and utilities. Our rural enthusiasts are innovative people who do not like to be controlled. I'm one of those people who do not like to be controlled and neither is my partner.

It's a free market and that is what has made this country great! I think the public just elected the next president based on this same principle.

We want diesel enthusiasts, shops and pullers to be able to come up with the next best thing whether it's a turbo, tranny or suspension that fits the basic rules but can exceed everyone's efforts for power and distance. We want the innovative mechanic to take the power and torque to the next level and progress the sport.

A progressive sport will stay in existence longer than a stagnant sport where competitors are selling their trucks on a monthly basis and numbers are dropping. I have heard for two years what has happened to the fun days of pulling when you could drive to the pull, change tires, adjust tuning and pull for the distance.

One of the biggest surge this next year will be the NEW Work Stock class that will allow high powered trucks to compete in pulling. We listen and we deliver what the enthusiast wants for the sport. We don't sell parts or service trucks so we want what is best for the sport.

Can the others with smoothbore pull in our classes, of course they can in the proper class. But why hold back the smartest kid in the class and try and make everyone equal! I think we have had enough of that in our society! I'm ready to see some diesel heads come out with killer trucks, kick some butt and progress the sport into the future.

Remember control brings anarchy and those at the top will benefit and those at the bottom will not and drop out!

DIESEL Motorsports is all about being innovative and relying on our youth to be aggressive, progressive and go for the ring (winner)! We want all trucks to compete and have fun doing it!

Thursday, December 29, 2016

We get asked this every year since so many change their rules every year in order to sell more parts for their shops. It seems to be the on going trend is to keep the enthusiasts spending more money every year on new turbos or suspensions.

What they don't realize it makes the sport overall smaller because many local pullers or racers can not afford the large purchases every season so they drop out. Why do we see so many trucks up for sale?

Since DIESEL Motorsports does not sell parts or garage services we try to keep the rules universal so all enthusiasts local or national can compete at all levels year after year in some classes and win a purse. The more local events are attended and enthusiasts can compete it will only make the regionals even larger in participation.

The Modified, 3.6 and dual turbos class will not change for 2017. Same as the 2.6/3.0 class, we did not see any reason for changes based on last year. Only request we had is if the 3.0 Smoothbore can run in a class by themselves and we reply with sure if enough of them show up (at least 8)! The 2.6 trucks won pretty much most of the time last year.

2.5 class will see some safety changes like adding driveshaft loops, shutoffs and trans blankets added for safety since they have become a trailered class. Same as the upper class, if a 2.6 smoothbore wants to run they will be allowed since it is a drop in HP. Same rules apply other wise.

Work Stock will see some significant changes since we plan on making into two classes!

We plan on making a WS/Super Street Class where enthusiasts can again drive to an event and compete in pulling with their performance street trucks. Rules are being formulated but the larger OEM like turbos will be allowed, xtrawheels, etc as long as they can plug 2.55. The rest is under review and will be available in a couple of weeks.

Work Stock will become a true OEM turbo class where only air intake, programmer, exhaust can be added for competition. This will be for OEM trucks who still want to pull but do not have to compete against the larger turbos.

Things may change a little in each class per Regional event but the rules we submit to SFI will follow what is listed above.

Remember, we want the sport of pulling to grow not diminish in size! So keep your costs low and keep on pulling!

Thursday, December 15, 2016

For those who did not get to go to the PRI Show last week I will attempt to give as much information as I can about the week. I was in Indianapolis from Tuesday through Sunday morning even though the show was Thursday through Saturday.

I came in early to get our booth setup on Tuesday with the help from a couple young diesel enthusiasts who later attended the show. That is one thing you can count on is some youth to help in hauling in over 12 big boxes of sponsor's decals and literature plus the booth banners and tables.

Wednesday was spent at the Race Track Business conference where I had the privilege of being a speaker on a panel for sanctioning bodies. This is a 5 year conference held for track owners of circle, drag and racing facilities across the US so that they can learn from people in the industry how to better market and advertise their tracks. It was very enlightening to hear from industry experts and the track owners themselves as to what challenges they face during the year. In a effort to further expand DIESEL Motorsports as a mainstream sport I explained what and who we are to the tracks, many who had never heard of the venue.

The PRI Show started Thursday with a very cold start since a front moved through during the night and it was a little slow till people got going around noon and it was like the flood gate opened. It was far busier in the afternoon with lots of diesel enthusiasts visiting our booth looking for information on future shows, rules free DM t-shirts and sponsor's decals/literature.

Diesel Motorsports had a limited supply of DM t-shirts for free and you could get them if you wore the shirts during the show and pose with the DM Girls at the booth. Plus they received DM insulated coffee mugs along with goody bags from sponsors. This definitely attracted diesel people to the booth all three days and we quickly ran out with large crowds in front of our booth many times during the show.

Friday was the largest single day attendance (60,000) in the history of the show and it showed at our booth in the main performance hall. We gave out over 150 free t-shirts and mugs/goody bags to many people and was soon out of the shirts. That didn't stop people from coming by the booth for information, decals and swag. Vendors on both sides of us thanked us for attracting so many people to our area and aisle. At times people couldn't even get down our aisle because of the people crowded around our booth posing for photos with the DM Girls and picking up items from our booth.

Saturday started busy and as the showed slowed down fell off in the late afternoon as the show closed on Saturday. In the morning was real busy and again our aisle was full when Diesel Motorsports presented our Awards for the year for Points Champion including inducting Brady Williams of Industrial Injection into the Diesel "Hall of Fame". By Saturday most of the items we had to give out was literally gone, of the 3,000 DM decals I had brought we had 25 left to give out on Saturday. The same could be said of the sponsor's decals, literature and swag by Saturday. Of the 12 cases of materials we had hauled in Tuesday we only left with one case a quarter full of materials.

Overall I can't tell you how many people came by the booth to learn about DIESEL Motorsports but it was a busy week for all of us. I did get a small chance of walking the show when I went to get more decals from a few sponsors who were there as vendors. It was people everywhere in the show and I noticed quite a few manufacturers with items for the diesel performance market. Some old but quite a few new ones with very interesting items that would enhance the performance of our diesels.

This was one of the most productive shows we have setup and attended as a vendor, with a full court press of making DIESEL Motorsports a mainstream motor sport!

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

Well the election year is almost over and now back to normal business for 2017! I forecast quarters 2, 3 and 4 will be big improvements over last year's revenues. In fact I see them improving each quarter as the year progresses.The first quarter will be good but it will take some time for the new direction business will be taking for the next four years. Manufacturing will be on the rise with less restrictions from the EPA which means the economy will slowly make a come back. Ford and GM has already announced moving manufacturing back to our country from Mexico.More jobs and more money for our automotive industry! Add in the tax cuts (when implemented) and you will see companies freeing up the purse strings to hire more people, produce and stock more product.

They will do this in order to anticipate the increase in sales from consumers. It's been a long haul for many stretching the use of their old diesel trucks for hauling, work and pleasure - frankly many are getting worn out!

The average ownership of a pickup truck is now 11-13 years according to Polk Research, even being a diesel I'm sure many of you have seen maintenance repairs go up the past years. Now you will see new truck purchases and the older trucks go to secondary used truck consumers. That is why the diesel industry will see a slow increase as the trickle down effect of new truck owners wanting performance and accessory items plus the older truck purchaser wanting additional repairs and upgrades to those used diesel trucks.Be ready for both and decide which will be profitable for your business. There is profit in both if you know how to offer service on both. Do some research during the winter on new truck drivetrains and what fails on them.I have already talked to some mechanics at dealerships and found items they are reporting failing on new Eco-diesels and new model drive trains. Use the winter to get smart because a change is in the wind for diesels.

Monday, November 7, 2016

I saw a lot more diesel trucks on display than any year EVER! However, they were stock mostly with huge lift kit suspensions, large wheels and low profile tires! The typical CA lift truck that is hard to come by in the Midwest states. Why?

Because we have REALLY bad roads and highways that are full of potholes, ridges and low shoulders! These kind of trucks do not run smooth on our roads along with 6 months of cold, salt, snow and slop they have to tread through during Winter months.

Have you ever tried to clean salt residue off of a wheel that has run through the junk for weeks - brutal! There was some nice rat rod trucks along with some conversions.

Overall most of the diesel performance part suppliers do not display at SEMA but the hard parts and fluids are on display. I saw a lot of other companies jumping into the marketplace which is a good thing. Because if enough companies realize the potential then more people will display more items for diesels.

I did see some great looking grilles, wheels for 8 lug, exhaust tips, internal performance parts for the engines, new fluids, new cooling systems, and lots of accessories for trucks. SEMA is the only show on planet where you can see all aspects of the automotive world, be it performance, offroad, pleasure or customizing your ride.

But you gotta know where to look and how to offer those wanting to sell their products how you can sell their products. They are there to sell their products and make some profitable returns on their products.

Seeing new products for our diesels is very exciting but finding them on 27 miles of walking is somewhat over-whelming if you don't know where to go at the show. It takes planning in advance and scheduling your time during the day. Even by planning we still walked 6-8 miles per day visiting and viewing new products and companies.

Every year we come home tired and wore out but very happy we attended. If you want to go plan a year in advance, bring good walking shoes and lots of money$!

New Dmax headers from AFE

New Radiator from AFE

New iPad or smart pad holder from Carvelle that is magnetic and slips right over existing radio dash, play your tunes, videos or gauges right in front of you

Thursday, October 27, 2016

This time of year many see FB posts and see industry people heading to Vegas for the SEMA Show. Many shop owners and enthusiasts say to me wish I could go and is it worth it?

I have gone for over 20 years and have watched it grow to a large show, back down in size and then back up! The show is nothing like it was in the beginning, the early shows were strictly auto/truck aftermarket companies with products a vehicle owner could add-on. They were there to sell to over 100 WDs and many vehicle accessory shops that came to the show to find new products to sell.

There is still some of that going on but you have to look pretty hard to find them, most of the show is now dressed up vehicles and the big three OEM manufacturers showing off their new vehicles. The show used to not have foreign companies selling parts but is now over 25% of the show. Now there are little over 30 WDs and many big companies own most of them. The business has changed and progressed in many ways over the years.

For the diesel enthusiasts there is not much to look at since there are about 10 diesel vehicles displayed of over 150 gas vehicles. It is interesting to see the custom rods, cars and trucks with many parts from the big name aftermarket companies.

The show is heavily attended by foreign customers buying or viewing American products. The show is so crowded that the main halls are even hard to walk through and view items. My suggestion would be go to the truck hall first because on the first day the traffic is fairly light. And we want to see truck items any way, you can skip the back half of that hall since it is mostly non-truck items.

If you like wheels and tires go below the truck hall and view what is available but very little is for the truck market, maybe 20%. Visit the new vendors which got put into a tent outside the first day! You'll find them eager to talk to you and many are the newer manufacturers and products.

It is well worth it to view the custom vehicles outside and many get put into the back lot behind the main building where they let some buses off. The main feature ones get put out in front from the companies who have been there a long time.

The Performance hall starts to clear out some by Thursday and is easily viewed on Friday morning but the evening show out front is a great show to see.

The Electronics hall has become a catch-all for electronics, tools, paint, carpet, fluids and finishes for vehicles. It is worth walking through if you want to see those companies for additional shop items.

The Performance Hall is where all the big names are including the OEMs, you could easily spend 2 days viewing everything in that hall. Most of the companies are for the gas market but there are some with diesel products in the smaller North halls. Many of our sponsors are in those halls along with some other smaller manufacturers with great products.

They say if you walk down every aisle it is well over 27 miles, we walk on average 7-8 miles a day picking out companies in advance to see and talk with about their products.

Bring good walking shoes, don't worry about dress shoes most of the time no one can see your feet because of too many people. To look business like wear dockers and polo or company shirts. Have business cards ready and your badge which can be scanned by the companies.

If you have never been it is an experience! Do you feel like partying after walking 7-8 miles during the day, not me! I usually have a few cocktails, a good dinner and then ready for bed. If you have never been to Vegas walking the New Vegas strip is worth the site or for people watching go to Freemont street to the old Vegas and walk it.

And of course there is always the sister AAPEX Show at the Sands Convention Center which is hard parts, fluids, batteries and truck stop accessories. Same badge works for both venues!

Good luck if you are going and us diesel business people can be found at the end of the day at the Marriott bar across the street on Convention Drive between 4:30 and 6pm most of the days.

Thursday, October 13, 2016

DIESEL Motorsports normally does not have an event in October because of inclement weather has effected past shows. However we decided to hold a drag race that was a good success in the Spring at a local track in Missouri.

We agreed as long as it was good weather so the people could enjoy the event, no one like to attend and travel to an event when they end up sitting in the truck or hotel room while it rains or worse.

DIESEL Motorsports has always tried to keep in mind the attendees when it comes to weather and cancel in enough time for people to cancel hotels and travel plans before it cost them.

Didn't have to worry about it on the weekend of October 8th in Missouri, it was absolutely beautiful weather and it was even 70º when the gates open.

This was a repeat of the Spring event where it is a Diesel vs Gas drag race at an 1/8th mile track in Osborn Missouri which is just East of Cameron on US 36. It is a nice facility with plenty of parking and lots of fence for our trucks to back up to with their trucks.

Local truck owners must have heard about the Spring race because a lot more high end drag trucks showed up for the diesel and gas classes. We had trucks from a 6 state area including trucks from South Dakota down to Arkansas.

The heads-up class held the weight limits to 4,000 lb minimum for the trucks and ET Bracket at 3,000 lbs. This was to keep the trucks fairly equal in power and weights in the heads-up classes.

During the evening we saw trucks easily hitting the low 7s and some in the 6s in the 1/8 mile, that is some fast full size trucks for diesel or gas.

The action was serious in all of the classes with some major breakage for those trying to push their trucks. It was very entertaining for the crowd that came to watch.

Dylan Grooms in his 2008 Ford F-250 could not be beat at the lights in both heads-up classes and his best run was 6.55 @ 107mph in the 1/8th mile! Congratulations Dylan!

A big thanks goes out to Mike Franks and his family which own US36 Dragway for providing a great rural venue to watch and enjoy this type of an event. The food is great, admission is cheap, kids 12 and under get in free and there is plenty of room to watch the show.

Another big thanks to Revolution Dyno for providing the dyno competition and participating in the first ever DM travel truck race vs Revolution's tow-pig truck! Yes I lost by 4000ths on the final few feet he passed my truck. Of course I blame my driver, Matt Gilmore of throwing the race lol! Believe me it was the truck, I use this to travel to events and is still running stock injectors, pump etc. I ended up giving Jeremy the shirt off of my back for winning the race!

We had lots of fun and everyone talked late into the night with each other about the wins and losses!

Saturday, October 8, 2016

Across the Midwest from Nebraska to Pennsylvania in any rural town you will see our diesel enthusiasts in their lifted trucks sporting big wheels/tires, stacks/big exhaust and lots of power. It is a rural sport for a couple of reasons.One, have you ever tried to drive and park downtown in a 21 foot truck that is tall? Many parking spaces at malls are not even measured to fit our trucks plus the underground garages do not allow our trucks in even if they fit.Two, our enthusiasts use their trucks for work, play and even for their family activities. Whether it's farming, automotive, hauling or pulling a trailer they use their trucks all year long. Could they buy a smaller truck that gets better mileage? Sure they could but then they could not pull or haul what they need for work.

That is why DIESEL Motorsports holds all of our events in rural areas of the country. People who work and use their trucks for a living understand the loud running, sometimes smoke blowing diesel trucks that you find at our events.

You move the rural people and show to the big city and in the past there are many who do not understand the diesel lifestyle! In fact they are appalled by the smoke, noise and the large trucks that use lots of fuel.With the current political status the smoky diesels are seen as a real negative in the cities even though the car exhausts(millions) are the reason for their pollution. But you can not see their exhaust but you can when a semi blows out a little smoke.The EPA is being literally fueled by the OEMs not wanting diesel truck owners messing with their systems, even though it may be an improvement in performance and mileage. The OEMs want ALL changes to their vehicles(they have tried to get government to recognize it as their vehicle) done by their dealerships. Even though you have bought and own the truck they are claiming the technology and actual mechanical portion of the truck is theirs and cannot be changed because of Patent laws.

This has been overturned currently and would result in loss of MANY jobs and business considering the number of garages, part stores, distributors and private dealerships.

Yep the sport was started at rural fairgrounds and cities and that is where they understand the use and acknowledge the upgrades in performance in a diesel.Can you move the sport to the masses in the city? Sure just be ready for the backlash of those who DO NOT KNOW what diesels are used for in today's business world.See you at our events in the rural cities!DIESEL Motorsports

Thursday, September 29, 2016

This event started in Zanesville Ohio by a good friend and DIESEL Motorsports Director Chuck Rucker of New Era Diesel over 10 years ago. Chuck and Tracy ran the show at their local fairgrounds as a sled pull where many of the Ohio pullers came to have some fun with their diesels. They ran it there a couple of years and then moved it to National Trails as part of the then new NADM (DIESEL Motorsports). We held it at National Trails for quite a few years until the track start to fall apart.

We now hold it at Marion County International Raceway owned by the same family since it opened in the 1970s. Many big names have raced there like Garlits, Mongoose and Force, it is interesting to go inside of their tower and look at the old photos when these names were starting to build the sport.

This track is in the middle of nowhere surrounded by cornfields but no one cares if our diesels burn rubber, blow smoke and make a little noise day or night. A perfect place to hold a friendly get together of Ohio diesel trucks to watch a few compete and look at each other's trucks for inspiration.

You could not have asked for a better day than September 24th in Ohio, cool in the morning and pleasant during the day! DIESEL Motorsports started out with slicks only racing which had some fast trucks but very few showed up for letting them have a prepped surface for four hours by themselves. This shows the really fast trucks still are in small numbers and continue to struggle to run down the tracks. We did see some high speed runs by Bruce Block (winner 149 mph) and Lavon Mill/Firepunk (2nd 159mph)!

It was a different story for the regular street trucks in racing and pulling in the Work Stock class. There we're trucks coming ion all day long for the afternoon and evening competitions. The Mothers Show-N-Shine had some really nice trucks along with some beautiful 1st Generation Dodges.

The pulling had some very high end Work Stock trucks but the winner was 71 year old John Shew from Indiana in his dually Dodge out pulling everyone with 304.08 feet. The track was a little wet and messy but it was the same for everyone and we had more than one full pull for those who knew how to work the track.

The Semi trucks put on a great show which we saved for last pulling well over 300 feet by many of the trucks. It was a late night for those who showed up at 9am and leaving around 10pm but it was a diesel day for enthusiasts and competitors.

Diesel Motorsports wants to thank Mark and Kelly at Marion County International Raceway for having us back for the Buckeye Diesel Blast for 2016! It was a beautiful day with lots of trucks, families and great diesel competition from some unbelievable trucks! This is always a fun event with lots of corn, sunshine and food! Below the winners of the day's activities!

A big thank you to Fuelab, G&R Diesel, Action Exhaust, Diesel Life, Firepunk and Tater Built for being the sponsors and vendors!

About Me

I have operated as a marketing/consulting agency for over 25 years in the automotive industry while located in Kansas City, MO.
In 2007 I started the National Association of Diesel Motorsports with Gene Mohney of PA. Since then we have grown the DIESEL Motorsport's Association to 4000 members along with putting on 12 National Diesel events and over 50 affiliate events Nationwide.